# How To Grow Flowers

> Tropical, Hawaiian and world-garden flowers, desert plants and bonsai for US gardens, bloom by bloom and zone by zone.

## Plant families

- [Tropical flowers](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/): Hibiscus, plumeria, bougainvillea, bird of paradise, anthurium, orchids and protea.
- [Flowering trees](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/trees/): Cherry blossom, Japanese maple, magnolia, crape myrtle, kousa dogwood and eucalyptus.
- [Shrubs](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/): Camellia, azalea, rhododendron, hydrangea, osmanthus, oleander, lavender and rosemary.
- [Vines](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/vines/): Wisteria, jasmine, honeysuckle and clematis.
- [Perennials & bulbs](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/): Peony, dahlia, chrysanthemum, iris, lily, ranunculus, tulip and saffron crocus.
- [Annuals](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/annuals/): Zinnia, marigold, cosmos, celosia, nasturtium and Mexican sunflower.
- [Desert & succulents](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/): Aloe, agave, cactus, desert rose and prickly pear.
- [Bonsai](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/bonsai/): Juniper, Chinese elm, ficus and trident maple, season by season.

## More

- [About Iris Bell and How To Grow Flowers](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/about/): Who writes How To Grow Flowers: an editorial pen name, a small independent publisher, and a promise to be honest about bloom times, zones and limits.
- [Bloom Calendar: When Our 10 Flowers Bloom by Month](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/guides/bloom-calendar/): A bloom calendar for 10 flowers from extension sources: tulip, calla lily, lavandin and Christmas cactus by month, and how to read the vaguer bloom times.
- [Contact](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/contact/): How to reach the How To Grow Flowers editorial team about corrections, partnerships or general questions.
- [Corrections](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/corrections/): How to report an error in a How To Grow Flowers guide, and how we handle and record corrections.
- [Desert Plants for US Gardens: Succulents and More](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/collections/desert-plants/): Desert plants and succulents for US gardens: how hardy types differ from soft ones, what our succulent guides cover, and which desert plants come next.
- [Editorial policy](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/editorial-policy/): How How To Grow Flowers decides what to publish, how guides are reviewed, how images are labelled and where commercial interests stop.
- [Fall Bulbs to Plant: Tulips Now, Calla Lilies in Spring](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/guides/fall-bulb-planting/): Which bulbs to plant in fall: tulips by soil temperature and chilling, why calla lilies wait for spring, and how to dig and store callas in cold zones.
- [Flowering Houseplants: Indoor Plants That Bloom](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/collections/flowering-houseplants/): Flowering houseplants and indoor plants that bloom: what orchids, Christmas cactus, bird of paradise and others need indoors, and where the sources go quiet.
- [Flowers That Bloom in Winter: Indoors and Out](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/blog/winter-blooming-flowers/): Flowers that bloom in winter: Christmas cactus and moth orchids indoors, bird of paradise outdoors in zones 10 and 11, and what each needs to flower.
- [Flowers to Plant in Fall: Tulips Now, the Rest in Spring](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/blog/flowers-to-plant-in-fall/): Flowers to plant in fall: tulips by soil temperature, jasmine's two planting answers, and what to hold until spring or leave unpruned, from extension sources.
- [How we research](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/how-we-research/): How each growing guide is built: which sources we use, how we write for your USDA zone, and what we do when sources disagree.
- [Japanese Garden Plants: Maples, Blossoms and Shade](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/collections/japanese-garden-plants/): Japanese garden plants for US gardens: Japanese maple care from our guides, plus cherry blossom, azalea, camellia, osmanthus, iris and hosta coming soon.
- [Privacy policy](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/privacy/): What data How To Grow Flowers collects, why, and how to contact us about your information.
- [Tropical Flowers to Grow in the US: Zones and Pots](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/collections/tropical-flowers/): Tropical flowers for US gardens: which need a frost-free zone, which live in pots and windows, and how our orchid and bird of paradise guides fit.
- [Work with us](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/work-with-us/): Partnering with How To Grow Flowers: what we accept, what we don’t, and how sponsored content is labelled.

## Tropical flowers

- [Bird of Paradise Care: How to Grow Strelitzia in the US](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/bird-of-paradise/): Bird of paradise care for Strelitzia reginae: zones 10 to 11 outdoors, a big pot indoors, light, water, feeding, why it will not bloom and when to bring it in.
- [Bird of Paradise in Winter: Cold Limits and Bringing It In](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/bird-of-paradise/overwintering/): How cold a bird of paradise can take (24°F or 28°F, depending on the source), when to bring pots inside, indoor winter temperatures and winter watering.
- [Bird of Paradise Not Blooming: Causes and Fixes](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/bird-of-paradise/not-flowering/): Why a bird of paradise will not bloom: too little light, too much fertilizer, planting depth or a roomy pot, with fixes from Wisconsin, Clemson and UF/IFAS.
- [How to Care for Bird of Paradise Indoors: Light and Water](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/bird-of-paradise/indoors/): Care for a bird of paradise houseplant: the brightest window, a large pot, when to water, humidity, feeding and winter temperatures, with each source named.
- [Orchid Care: How to Grow Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis)](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/orchids/): Orchid care for moth orchids (Phalaenopsis): light, watering, bark mix, night temperatures, fertilizer and reblooming, with what each US extension source says.
- [Orchid Not Flowering? How to Get a Moth Orchid to Rebloom](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/orchids/not-flowering/): Why a moth orchid will not rebloom and how to fix it: light first, then the cool-night spell UC ANR and Illinois Extension describe, plus what to avoid.
- [Orchid Yellow Leaves: What the Sources Say to Check](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/orchids/yellow-leaves/): Yellow or damaged moth orchid leaves: what extension sources say to check, from overwatering and wet leaf axils to sun burn, fertilizer salts and pests.
- [Repotting Orchids: Bark Mix, Pots and When to Repot](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/tropical-flowers/orchids/in-containers/): How to repot a moth orchid: when to do it, what mix to use, which pot works and how to keep roots above water, based on Clemson, Penn State and UC ANR.

## Perennials & bulbs

- [Calla Lilies in Pots: Planting, Light and Water](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/calla-lily/in-containers/): Growing calla lilies in pots: plant rhizomes 3 to 4 inches deep, eyes up, keep soil moist but not wet, give morning sun and bring pots in for winter.
- [Calla Lily Care: How to Grow Zantedeschia in the US](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/calla-lily/): Calla lily care for US gardens: when to plant rhizomes, sun and water, zone hardiness, digging in cold climates and what the extension sources disagree on.
- [How to Grow Tulips From Bulbs: Planting and Care](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/tulip/): How to grow tulips from bulbs in the US: plant in fall when soil is below 60°F, in full sun and well-drained soil, and what to expect the second year.
- [Overwintering Calla Lilies: Dig and Store Rhizomes](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/calla-lily/overwintering/): Overwintering calla lilies: hardy in zones 8 to 10, or zone 8 and 7 protected. When to dig rhizomes, how to dry and store them, and when to replant.
- [Tulips in Pots: Container Planting and Forcing](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/tulip/in-containers/): Growing tulips in pots and forcing them indoors: how long to chill (12 to 17 weeks), what temperature, when they bloom and why forced tulips get discarded.
- [When to Plant Tulip Bulbs: Soil Temperature and Depth](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/tulip/when-to-plant/): When to plant tulip bulbs: in fall, before the first frost and once soil at planting depth is below 60°F. Chilling hours and the depth conflict explained.
- [Why Tulips Don't Come Back: Species vs Hybrids](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/perennials-bulbs/tulip/not-flowering/): Why tulips don't come back: hybrids are often one-season, species tulips perennialize better. Heat, foliage care, rodents and rot explained from extension.

## Desert & succulents

- [Christmas Cactus Care: Light, Water and Getting Blooms](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/christmas-cactus/): Christmas cactus care for holiday cacti (Schlumbergera): bright indirect light, watering, soil, feeding and the long nights and cool temperatures that set buds.
- [Christmas Cactus Not Blooming: Dark Hours and Cool Nights](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/christmas-cactus/not-flowering/): Make a Christmas cactus bloom: 12, 13 or 14 hours of darkness, 55 to 60°F nights, six weeks of short days, and why buds drop. What each extension source says.
- [Growing Succulents Indoors: Light, Pots and Watering](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/succulents/indoors/): How to grow succulents indoors: the brightest window, 6 to 8 hours of light, grow lights, terracotta pots, gritty mix and how little water they need in winter.
- [Propagating Christmas Cactus From Cuttings, Step by Step](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/christmas-cactus/from-cuttings/): How to root Christmas cactus cuttings: take 3 to 5 stem segments in May or June and root them in moist mix or water, per UGA and Penn State extension.
- [Propagating Succulents From Leaf and Stem Cuttings](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/succulents/from-cuttings/): How to propagate succulents from leaf and stem cuttings: let the cut end callus for about a week, root in moist soil for a month or more, and what to expect.
- [Succulent Care: Light, Water, Soil and Pots for Beginners](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/desert-succulents/succulents/): Succulent care for beginners: how much light, when to water (only when soil is fully dry), the right mix and pot, feeding, winter rest and what kills them.

## Vines

- [Growing Jasmine in Pots and Indoors Over Winter](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/vines/jasmine/in-containers/): Growing jasmine in pots: common jasmine stays 4 to 5 ft, wants sun and moist, well-drained soil, and can winter indoors at 68 to 72°F by day.
- [How to Prune Jasmine: Cut After Flowering](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/vines/jasmine/pruning/): How to prune jasmine (Jasminum): cut after flowering because blooms form on old growth, and common jasmine takes a severe cut once the flowers fade.
- [Jasmine Care: How to Grow True Jasmine (Jasminum)](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/vines/jasmine/): Jasmine care in the US: how to grow common jasmine (Jasminum officinale), its zones, sun and pruning, and why star jasmine is a different plant.

## Shrubs

- [Growing Lavender in Pots: Soil, Drainage and Winter](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/lavender/in-containers/): Growing lavender in pots: use potting mix with no added fertilizer, add grit or perlite, water only when dry and bring pots indoors for winter.
- [How to Prune Hydrangeas: Old Wood, New Wood and August 1](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/hydrangea/pruning/): When to prune bigleaf hydrangea: right after flowering on old wood, why the August 1 cutoff matters, how much to remove and what reblooming types change.
- [How to Prune Lavender: Spring or After Bloom?](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/lavender/pruning/): How to prune lavender: NC State says cut back after the flowers fade, Illinois says prune in spring. What the sources agree on and how to avoid killing it.
- [Hydrangea Care: Sun, Water, Pruning and Flower Color](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/hydrangea/): Hydrangea care for bigleaf hydrangea (H. macrophylla): morning sun, deep weekly water, pruning after bloom, and how soil pH turns flowers blue or pink.
- [Hydrangea Fall Care: Protecting Buds Through Winter](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/hydrangea/overwintering/): Hydrangea fall care for bigleaf types: skip the pruning, protect canes from late freezes, overwinter pots in an unheated garage and amend soil in fall.
- [Hydrangea Not Blooming? Causes and How to Fix Them](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/hydrangea/not-flowering/): Why a bigleaf hydrangea has leaves but no flowers: frozen buds, pruning at the wrong time, too much nitrogen and the wrong type. Fixes from extension sources.
- [Lavender Care: How to Grow Lavender in Your US Garden](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/lavender/): Lavender care for US gardens: full sun, sharp drainage, little water once established, plus pruning and winter protection, per NC State and Illinois.
- [When to Harvest Lavender and How to Dry It](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/shrubs/lavender/harvesting/): When to harvest lavender: cut the stalks as the blooms are about to open, then dry them flat or hanging in a cool, dry place. Timing by lavender type.

## Flowering trees

- [Japanese Maple Care: Sun, Water and Pruning in the US](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/trees/japanese-maple/): Japanese maple care for US gardens: zones 5B to 8B, dappled shade, even moisture, leaf scorch, minimal pruning and varieties, from UF/IFAS and NC State.
- [Japanese Maple in a Pot: Container Care](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/trees/japanese-maple/in-containers/): Growing a Japanese maple in a pot: cultivars that suit containers, dappled shade, shelter from wind and even moisture, with drought as the main risk.
- [Pruning Japanese Maple: When to Cut and Why It Bleeds](https://howtogrowflowers.xyz/trees/japanese-maple/pruning/): How to prune a Japanese maple: NC State says late fall to mid-winter to avoid bleeding, Clemson says keep it minimal. Timing, sap and what to cut.